Governors can’t prevent council autonomy, says Abatemi-Usman

The Vice Chairman of Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, has said that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) cannot prevent constitutional autonomy to the local governments in the country.

He lamented that the forum’s position may create a setback to the constitution review.

Abatemi-Usman is sponsoring a bill seeking for financial autonomy for local governments. The bill, which had passed through the second reading, is now with the Senate Committee on Constitution Review.

He said councils can only discharge their duties effectively when they are not hindered by constraints imposed by the states.

The senator was reacting to the remarks of the NGF’s chairman, Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who reportedly said that the governors would lobby the National Assembly to reject council autonomy. The governors have explained that local government are not coordinate units of the federation, stressing that autonomy for them is not contemplated under federalism.

The governors have also said that, since councils are created by the House of Assembly, states should exercise financial control over them.

Abatemi-Usman, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial Distric, declared that local government autonomy is the most important item for consideration, adding that it is desirable.

He explained that autonomy would pave way for rapid development at the grassroots.

The senator objected to the operation of the state/local government joint account, saying that it is an aberration that must be corrected, despite the governors’ stiff opposition.

Abatemi-Usman said: “I have always been an advocate of autonomy for local governments. This was what prompted me to put up a bill for their financial autonomy when I became a senator in 2011 to free them from the governors.

“I am happy that the entire Nigerian people have seen the need for local governments to be granted autonomy, as reflected by their position during the public hearings held by the House of Representatives members across the 360 constituencies and the ones organised by the senators in the six geo-political zones of the country. Therefore, the people’s desire will definitely prevail over that of the governors. How can the governors stand against the wish of the generality of Nigerians, who elected them into office?”

Don’t mind this governors who are busy enriching themselves at the expenses of the masses.They are twisting local election into their pocket by handpicking caretakers into local council and subsequent chairmen against the will of people by this financial control.